The price of fuel remains by far the most pressing concern for motorists according to new research by vehicle remarketing company BCA.

Three quarters of 728 used car buyers surveyed during March 2013 said the price of fuel was their biggest worry in terms of motoring costs.

Second on the list was the cost of road tax, followed by insurance costs, vehicle maintenance costs and parking charges.

29% said they now only make essential car journeys. 20% said they use public transport more and 23% walk more. 15% have changed to a diesel car to cut costs.

Over a quarter of those surveyed said they now only purchase the amount of fuel needed, rather than filling the tank, with one in four searching online for the cheapest petrol station.

Tim Naylor, editor of BCA’s Used Car Market Report, commented: “It is clear from our survey that motorists are continuing to feel the financial pinch, as the costs of running a car continue to rise.”